Chapter 12
TWELVE
“This is a terrible idea.”
My eyes almost hurt from rolling them so much today. Leave it to my gloomy boss to take the fun out of everything. When I suggested we meet with Gray during an informal lunch, I thought Theo’s mind was going to explode. It took almost an hour for me to convince him to change out of his expensive Armani suit. He was still plucking at the sweater I’d picked out for him as if he couldn’t stand the feel of it against his skin.
He might not like it, but holy hell, it was making it hard to look away from him. Even though I repeatedly told myself that Theo was off limits, it was getting more and more difficult to remember why. Just seeing him dressed down made my imagination run wild. I was dying to know what he was like when he lost all that careful control.
Get it together, Calla.
For fuck’s sake, we were on the way to meet my ex-boyfriend, a fact that might have slipped my mind when I sold Theo on this plan. However, Jack was right. Gray had been burned in the past by a shady agent. There was no way he’d go with our company just because Theo was the best. He needed that connection, someone he could trust.
As soon as we entered the diner, Theo curled his lip. He looked at the dated pleather furniture and stained walls with clear disgust. For someone who didn’t dine anywhere without a Michelin star, this was probably his biggest nightmare.
While Theo stood in the doorway, I spotted Gray across the room. I waved in his direction until his steely gray eyes met mine, and he broke out into a broad smile, standing up to greet me. When he got close enough, he wrapped his arms around me and tugged me up into the air. “Hey, kiddo.”
“Hey, Anders.”
He placed my feet back on the ground, stepping back to take a better look at me. “Damn, Calla. The years have been good to you.”
“Like you’re one to talk,” I teased, smacking him on the shoulder. “I wouldn’t have recognized you if I didn’t watch most of your games.” In high school, Gray had been the quintessential golden boy, always clean-shaven with not a hair out of place. The bearded Viking who stood in front of me could not be more different, with his shaggy, dark blond hair tossed up in a bun. My eyes traced along his forearms, taking in all the brightly colored designs inked into his skin. A couple of the images looked familiar but not enough to place them readily.
“You watch most of my games?” Gray smiled. “I’m touched, kid.”
“Not really,” I laughed. “It’s all Devyn. She never misses one.”
As soon as the words left my mouth, I wanted to take them back. At the mere mention of Devyn’s name, Gray’s eyes went cold, as if he had seen a ghost. But unlike Devyn, whose expression always turned stormy at the mention of her former friend, Gray looked almost pained.
Before I could say anything else, Theo came to my side, clearing his throat. “Oh, I’m so sorry. Gray, this is my boss, Theo Ayad. He’s the one we talked about on the phone.”
Gray nodded, stretching out his hand. I waited for Theo to say something, anything, to show some of the usual charms he used on his clients. Instead, he just stared at Gray as if assessing a threat. I nudged him in the stomach with the tip of my elbow. “Theo, this is when you use your words.” I rolled my eyes at Gray. “Sorry about him; he’s not a diner kind of guy.”
“I never said that,” Theo answered, turning to stare at me. “But Calla’s right. It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Anders.”
Gray motioned to the booth, taking a seat by the window for himself. I started to join him on the same side, but Theo placed his hand on the small of my back, pushing me toward the empty side. As soon as I settled, he shuffled into the spot next to me.
I furrowed my brow, shocked at how close he sat. Sure, we usually stayed together during meetings, but that was because I took notes for him. Now, there was no reason for him to be hovering next to me. There was no reason for his leg to be pressed up against mine—his super muscular, strong thigh.
Shit. These were the exact thoughts I should not be having about my boss. I should be trying to distance myself from Theo, not snuggling up next to him in a teeny booth. Pushing a breath through my lips, I tried to get my head together. This meant nothing. There was nothing between Theo and me. The only thing I felt for Theo was lust, which was a perfectly natural reaction. I mean, the man looked like he was made of marble. If I wasn’t attracted to him, I would be concerned.
Gray smirked at me, probably able to read the turmoil on my face. The bastard always knew what I was feeling before I could voice it. “So, Calla, you got me here. Now tell me, why should I hire this guy to be my agent?”
“Oh…” I smiled at Theo, hoping he didn’t notice my nerves. Yes, Gray knew me better than most, so it was easy to forget he was on the fast track to the MLB Hall of Fame. I shook my head. “I’m just his assistant. Theo is the one who should answer that question.”
Theo’s brow furrowed, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he turned toward Gray. “Due to the informal setting of this meeting, I don’t have our usual materials and numbers. I’d love to bring you into the office to meet the team and see how we can best suit your needs.”
Gray shook his head, “No can do. Not interested in getting the sales pitch.” He nodded back to me. “I trust Calla. If she says you’re the guy, then I believe it.”
I could feel my nerves start to take over, from my foot tapping on the off-white and black linoleum to my fingers twining together under the red lacquer table. This whole meeting might have been my idea, but what did I know about selling an agent? Shit, I barely even knew anything about baseball.
As my anxiety built, I felt someone’s finger loop over mine and tug my hands apart. I glanced up at Theo, seeing nothing but faith in his gaze. Was it possible that he believed in me?
With that silent affirmation, I steadied my shoulders. “I know absolutely nothing about being an agent. Even after a month working for this guy, I’m still not entirely sure what he does.” Theo choked on his water at my words. I gave him a smug smile, asking him to trust me. “However, what I do know is how much Theo cares about his clients. Since I started, I’ve seen Theo move mountains for them. His work is his priority.” Theo stiffened at my side, but I continued anyway. “A lot of agents only care about their client’s careers, but Theo looks at the whole person beyond just their stats, and he’s building a team that feels the same way. If you decide to sign with Wallace and Associates, I promise that our team will respect you, and your voice will be heard.” I leaned forward, placing my hand on top of Gray’s. “This is the right move, Gray.”
He shrugged. “Works for me.”
Theo pulled out his phone and started typing a text. “Next time we meet, I’ll bring Jack Fischer. He’s the head of our sports department, not to mention one of the best in the business.”
“Nope.” Gray smirked, leaning back on his side of the booth. “It’s you or the deal’s off. I don’t want to deal with another suit. I've had enough of those stalking the locker room. You’re my guy.”
Theo paused, steepling his hands in front of his face. Most people would think he was deep in thought, debating his next move, but I’d learned that this position meant Theo had already made up his mind but knew it would have consequences. I hoped like hell he wasn’t going to let Gray down, not only because I knew he’d do the right thing for one of my oldest friends, but also because I’d stuck my neck out for him. If this deal fell apart, what would that mean for my job? Would Theo stop trusting me?
But my worries were unfounded. With a sudden, deep sigh, Theo reached out his hand. “Sounds like we have a deal.”